Since joining Rice University in 2012, I have been dedicated to expanding the university's impact through STEM education and community engagement. My career has centered on creating opportunities for students, educators, and communities to connect with Rice's world-class research and expertise. Through leadership roles within the Center for STEM Engagement, I have helped grow programs, partnerships, and grant-funded initiatives that serve learners from pre-K through career. As Executive Director, I now lead efforts that amplify the broader impacts of Rice research while advancing the university's commitment to educational excellence and community engagement.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for the Center for STEM Engagement (R-STEM), overseeing the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of its educational and community engagement initiatives. This role establishes operational policies and procedures while directing the center’s academic, research-aligned, administrative, financial, and operational functions. The Executive Director advances R-STEM’s mission to improve STEM education by supporting sustained professional learning for educators, promoting innovative curriculum and research-informed instructional practices, inspiring students through authentic, real-world learning experiences, and engaging the Houston metropolitan community to expand access to high-quality STEM education.

What I enjoy most about my role is connecting Rice's world-class research and educational resources with students, educators, and communities. I am passionate about creating opportunities that inspire curiosity, expand access to STEM learning, and help people discover pathways to future success. Seeing the long-term impact of these experiences on students and teachers is what makes this work so rewarding.

Be open to opportunities you didn't expect. My career at Rice has evolved in ways I could not have predicted when I first joined the university. Some of the most meaningful experiences came from saying yes to new challenges, building relationships across campus and in the community, and being willing to learn from others. Rice is a place where people are encouraged to collaborate, innovate, and make an impact. My advice is to stay curious, seek out connections beyond your immediate area, and look for ways your unique skills and experiences can contribute to the university's mission.

The achievement I am most proud of is helping build and grow programs, partnerships, and initiatives that create lasting opportunities for students and educators. Throughout my career at Rice, I have had the privilege of working with talented colleagues, faculty, school districts, and community partners to develop experiences that inspire students, strengthen teaching practices, and connect research with meaningful community impact. I am especially proud of the role I have played in helping expand Rice's STEM engagement efforts into a center that serves as a bridge between the university, schools, and communities. Knowing that these collective efforts have positively influenced thousands of learners and educators while advancing Rice's mission is far more meaningful to me than any individual award or accomplishment.